Was missing a more outdoor lifestyle for the summer as the weekly rollerski trips was not enough for this city dweller so got a motor boat, even though I have a slight fobia for the sea. I chose an American model as it's more modern and not full of wooden panels and other old fashioned stuff the European ones typically have. Absolutely love it as the crowded beach days with the family is history, and the freedom feeling of the huge flat space and being able to move easily is great. Big skies too.

Funny part was picking it up from a town 6 hours away, and the chart plotter (GPS nautical map) refused to start (worked the day before, a blown fuse on the circuit, Murphy's law in action) so had to go far out to sea to make sure not to hit any rocks but there the swells were huge and it was a proper nightmare, the boat tilting like crazy going diagonally to the waves. It was like the fairground ride you just want to end but had to suck up until it finished, and this one was for hours as my father who was driving turned a deaf ear to any talk of turning back..

Well just self propelled ones. I used to do a decent amount of open water ocean kayaking. I definitely can relate to the feeling of being in uncomfortable water. The swells never look that big until your are past the shore break and then you realize that you better really pay attention. Well you made it back and that is great -- enjoy the boat and water and stay safe out there. It's always exciting to pick up another hobby.

Just like Pat I used self propelled vessels, mostly a canoe in which I brought with me a canoe cart and a foldable bike so I could travel long distances on land between different waterways. If I was out with a friend we had two bikes in the canoe. That was great fun, and soundlessly gliding on the water in a small and beautiful river is very soothing.

After the big wave experience I have nothing but admiration for sea kayakers. They don't seem to wait for fair weather either as I see them out when I'd rather stay docked. It must really be something else to be so close to the water and knowing you can tip over at any moment.

Yeah it makes you very cautious or stupid. I have always been amazed have cavalier people can be on the water. Even more surprising when in cold water. I've come out of my boat on several occasions and not always easy to get back in. The standard comment is just because someone can Eskimo roll their kayak in a swimming pool it sure doesn't mean you can repeat that in open water. None the less I can of miss the amount of paddling I used to get in -- now live only near streams and smaller fresh water lakes. Not the adrenalin rush of old but I guess I could always roller ski down the middle of an interstate highway -- yeehah.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^True, even if you are just a kayak owner.Did you hear this one: "What are the 2 happiest days in boat-owner's life? The day he buys the boat, and the day he sells it" How about this one: "The enjoyment of the boat is inversely proportional to the size of the boat"Like Pat, I kayaked on open waters, and I don't think there is anything more fun you can do in this life, although x-country skiing on a cold sunny day comes close.Wear your life jackets, even on a very warm day. In your waters, you will not last very long without it

skiffrace wrote:Did you hear this one: "What are the 2 happiest days in boat-owner's life? The day he buys the boat, and the day he sells it"

I've heard this but don't want to think about it..

Had a nasty end of the season as I come to find water in the cabin, carpets floating around.- Just lucky to stop by that day in order to collect parts to the repair shop, otherwise it could have been much worse.

Got the boat on land and dried in a hurry, so luckily do damage done. Turns out there was a leak in the toilet from the seawater pipe used to flush it, and the pipe was not installed with an anti-syphoning valve on the hose. And neither was the automatic bilge pumps connected directly to the battery, but needed the main switch to be on. Both things major design flaws. Could have sunk my boat this.